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Author Topic: mixing ram?  (Read 3640 times)

spphoto

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mixing ram?
« on: October 17, 2006, 03:55:15 pm »

hi,

Can I take slower old ram and put it in a new computer to add memory.  The computer would already have ddr2 533 or 667 ram.  Or is this a no no?

thanx
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kaelaria

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mixing ram?
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2006, 04:31:06 pm »

The system will default to the slower speed.  Don't worry about it though, it barely makes any difference.  The two key points in RAM/system performance are the total amount and the command rate.  If possible, run the ram at a 1T (as opposed to 2T) and run as much as possible for best results with PS.  You will never see the difference simply changing bus rate.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2006, 04:31:22 pm by kaelaria »
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spphoto

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mixing ram?
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2006, 04:59:04 pm »

You mean to say that even mixing PC 3200 with the fasted ram would hardly make a difference?
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Paul2660

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mixing ram?
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2006, 05:30:08 pm »

Also, the older ram may not be the same pin count, DD2 553 or 667 is 240 pin I believe.

The older dims may be 184 pin.

As far as mixing, you always default to the slower ram, and you may or may not have issues with dual channel etc.  It's very very dependent on the board in question.

Paul C.
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Paul Caldwell
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kaelaria

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mixing ram?
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2006, 06:09:49 pm »

No, pin counts do not change between families (SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, etc.).

Yes, going from say 3200 to 4000 (assuming you can run at 4000 and 3200 is a step down) is barely noticeable.
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spphoto

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mixing ram?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2006, 07:50:21 pm »

If I put a stick of SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)  in a high end computer with the fastest Ram, would it slow it down appreciably?
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kaelaria

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mixing ram?
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2006, 08:38:28 pm »

Look up, you already asked, and it's already been answered.
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spphoto

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mixing ram?
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2006, 11:50:56 am »

Quote
Look up, you already asked, and it's already been answered.
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kaelaria,

the  SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) is a bit slower than the 533 that I asked about before.  So would it make a difference?

thanx
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RedRebel

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mixing ram?
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2006, 12:45:41 pm »

When mixing two speeds it wise to put the *same speed pairs* in the same memory bank eg pair 1 in A1 & B1 and pair 2 in A2 & B2. Normaly the A2 & B2 slots are currently unused. The slots that belong to each other are often colour coded, at least thats the case with my ASUS P4P800 board.
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